Speaker Asylum General speaker questions for audio and home theater.

---

[ Follow Ups ] Thread: [ Display  All  Email ] [ Speaker Asylum ]

---

[ Alert Moderator ]

---

Tannoy System 15 DMT II (Professional Studio Monitors)

Posted by Willie The Squid (A) on November 22, 2001 at 13:59:19

see: http://www.tannoy.com/frame.cfm?ID=3&D=2

For several years now, I've been interested in hearing the Tannoy System 15 DMT II professional studio monitors. I've been using low powered single ended amps for several years and my current amps are George Wright 3.5 monoblocks -- 2a3 amps with 3.5 watts per channel. My current speakers are Reference 3a Royal Masters rated by the manufacturer at 92db efficiency (but another Inmate tested and said they're 'really' about 90db efficient, which I believe is more accurate). I wanted to directly experience what happens when a little SET amp powers a highly efficient loudspeaker -- having read many times that the magic of SETs were unleashed with truly efficient speakers. Last June I posted on the High Efficiency Speaker forum my observations after a 90 minute store audition of an earlier version of the speaker (the System 15 DMT) using an inexpensive single ended EL34 integrated amp with 4-5 watts per channel. I was favorably impressed.

Sometimes E-bay can be a godsend. I found a pair of (brand new in the box) Tannoy System 15 DMT II monitors for auction several weeks ago. They were poorly marketed and described, so the competition was not keen. They arrived three days ago. Thus, these comments are preliminary and I may post a "formal" review in the future after more extensive listening with a variety of amplifiers.

The Tannoy System 15 DMT II is currently identified on Tannoy's web page as 101db efficient; its technical literature undermines that claim with a 98db efficiency rating, footnoted as follows: "averaged over specified bandwidth for half space environment...for anechoic conditions the figure is to be decreased by 3db." http://www.tannoy.com/product.cfm?ID=55 No matter. While these speakers are not as efficient as various horn designs, they are substantially more efficient than most direct radiating drivers fixed in ported boxes (or "monkey coffins, as our good friend Gizmo regularly described them.) These monitors are substantial @ approximately 100 lbs each, with dimensions of 33 x 22 x 17. The driver is a model 3833GG 15" dual concentric design - using a traditional paper cone. Size, volume and radiating area allow for greater efficiency.

These Tannoys sound wonderful in my system. They stand on the floor approximately 7 feet apart along the long wall. (I intend to try them on a stand about 6" off the ground.) Listening is done on the couch from about 8 feet away. Room is approximately 18' long, 12' wide, with an 8' ceiling. The first impression is one of effortlessness. The sound is very big and full, with striking dynamics. Even at low levels, there is this impression of fullness - a sense that you're hearing all of the music. The presentation image is detailed and layered with an accurate sense of space and size - as it exists in the recording. The harmonic structure is beautiful, very musical. The bottom end is powerful and articulate. It does not plumb the "depths", rolling off fairly quickly below 50hz. The overall balance of these speakers favors midrange - analogous to the way the Quad Electrostatic favors the midrange or the 300B tube favors the midrange. In more ways than I expected the Tannoys have similar tonal characteristics to the Reference 3a Royal Masters - just a bigger, more dynamic version driven by my little 3-1/2 watt amplifiers. But that makes sense...as one starts listening to more "truthful" transducers, the similarities should be apparent because there is a convergence towards accuracy.

Even with my little amps, I can now play most sources at "realistic" levels with no compression and a complete sense of ease. A classic example is Miles Davis' Kind of Blue. Before, I could sense the amplifiers "strain" to achieve an acceptable projection and room ambiance at volumes approaching the volumes actually created during recording in the studio -- and they were clipping noticeably (unacceptably) if I attempted to achieve "near live" volumes. Live trumpets, saxophones and drums are loud; and the piano and bass have their own demands. With the Tannoy System 15 DMT II monitors the musicians, room, and performance are just there, happening in space.

This is a big deal. This IS the magic that single ended amps and efficient speakers produce. Moreover, with this speaker, there are no horn colorations. If you own a single ended amp, these speakers should be on your short list for auditioning. For any quality system, these speakers are spectacular performers. They deserve a listen and due consideration.

Summary & Conclusion: My Reference 3a Royal Masters are up for sale in AA classifieds.

WTS

• http://www.tannoy.com/images/system15dmt_detailed.jpg   (Open in New Window)

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Parts Connexion

---

[ Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2025, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]

---

[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]

---